Whispers and Rumors

Ren Nakamura had never cared about what people said.

Whispers in the halls, rumors behind his back—none of it mattered.

But today, he couldn't ignore it.

Because today, they were whispering about her.

Morning – Classroom

Ren walked into class, hands in his pockets, expecting the usual quiet murmur of half-awake students.

Instead—he felt the shift immediately.

The air was heavy, voices hushed but sharp.

And then—he heard it.

"Did you hear about Yuki Hoshino?""I heard she's been skipping school a lot lately.""Someone saw her at the hospital last week.""Is she… sick?"

Ren froze.

His grip on his bag tightened.

He turned his head, slowly.

Across the room, a group of students huddled together, whispering like they had just discovered the biggest secret in the world.

"She looks fine, though. Maybe it's not serious?""What if it is? That'd be… kind of sad."

Ren's blood boiled.

Sad?

They talked like it was just some story. Like her life was gossip for them to pick apart.

Before he knew it, his feet were moving.

The group barely had time to react before Ren slammed his hand against one of their desks.

BANG.

The sound rippled through the classroom.

Silence.

All eyes turned to him, but Ren didn't care.

He glared down at the student closest to him—a guy who looked like he was about to pass out.

"What did you just say?" Ren's voice was dangerously low.

The guy swallowed hard. "I—I didn't mean—"

Ren's jaw clenched. His hands itched to grab him by the collar, to make him shut the hell up.

But then—

A hand touched his sleeve.

"Ren."

His breath caught.

He turned.

Yuki stood beside him, her fingers curled around his sleeve—a silent plea.

Her eyes—soft, calm, begging him not to make this worse.

Ren exhaled sharply.

He released the desk, shoving his hands back in his pockets.

The tension in the room lingered, but Yuki simply smiled at the group.

"Sorry," she said lightly. "I didn't mean to make anyone worry."

Her voice was too gentle.

Too forgiving.

She should be mad. She should be angry. She should fight back.

But she didn't.

Because that's who she was.

And somehow, that made it so much worse.

Lunch Break – Rooftop

Ren sat on the edge of the rooftop, tapping his fingers against his knee, silent.

Yuki sat beside him, watching the clouds.

She hadn't said anything since class.

Neither had he.

But his mind was screaming.

Finally, he muttered, "Why didn't you let me say something?"

Yuki sighed, tilting her head. "Because getting mad wouldn't change anything, Ren."

Ren scoffed. "It'd make me feel better."

Yuki laughed softly. "You're so reckless."

Ren clenched his jaw.

"No," he muttered. "I just don't like hearing people talk about you like that."

Yuki's smile faded slightly.

She stared down at her hands, voice quiet.

"...It was bound to happen eventually."

Ren's stomach twisted.

The way she said it—like she had already accepted it.

Like she was used to being talked about like a tragedy.

That made him angrier than anything.

He turned to her, eyes sharp.

"Do you really not care?" he asked.

Yuki blinked. "What?"

"That people are saying things behind your back," he said, his voice rising. "That they think they know you? That they're treating you like—like—"

He stopped himself.

Like someone who doesn't have much time left.

Yuki just smiled.

"It doesn't matter what they think," she murmured. "What matters is what I do with the time I have."

Ren's breath caught.

The time I have.

His fists tightened.

He looked away, staring at the distant city skyline.

"...That's a shitty way of looking at it."

Yuki giggled. "It's my way, though."

Ren sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Tch. You really piss me off, Hoshino."

Yuki hummed. "You always say that."

"Because it's always true."

She giggled again, nudging his shoulder.

And for a moment—**just a moment—**the weight in his chest lifted.

After School – A Silent Promise

Ren walked Yuki home that evening, their steps slow, their shadows stretching across the pavement.

She hummed under her breath—a quiet melody he didn't recognize.

Then, suddenly—she stopped.

Ren turned.

Yuki was staring up at the sky, her expression far away.

"...Sometimes, I wonder," she murmured.

Ren frowned. "Wonder what?"

"If I hadn't met you… would my life have been different?"

Ren froze.

His chest tightened.

Because he knew what she was really asking.

Would I still be happy? Would I still be me?

Ren swallowed. His voice was rough, uneven.

"I don't know."

Yuki smiled.

"Me neither."

She turned to him then, tilting her head.

"But I'm glad I did."

Ren's breath hitched.

And before he could respond, Yuki reached out—grabbing the edge of his sleeve.

Not pulling, not tugging.

Just holding.

A silent promise.

Ren stared at her hand.

Then—**very carefully—**he turned his palm upward, letting her fingers slip into his.

Yuki's eyes widened slightly.

But she didn't pull away.

Neither did he.

They just stood there, fingers intertwined beneath the fading sky.

And for the first time—

Ren wasn't afraid.